CHAN 2022: Elephants bottom-up group B with a ‘rat run’ over Uganda

Côte d’Ivoire defeated the Uganda Cranes to qualify for the quarter-finals of TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022.

The Elephants outclassed Uganda 3-1 on Sunday night.

Uganda approached the game seeded atop the so called ‘group of death’ while Cote D’Ivoire was bottom of the group, but they finally grabbed the second ticket for the knockout phase, which completely changed the complexion group B.

The home-based Elephants started the game like a house on fire and eventually consumed the Cranes at the 12th minute with a goal from Sankara Karamoko.

Three minutes to the half hour mark, Vignon Mathieu Patrick Ouotro fired past goalkeeper Nafian Legason for 2-0.

Moses Waiswa halved deficit for the men of coach Milutin Sredojević with his 34th minute converted penalty before the break.

After the pose, Aubin Kramo Kouamé sealed all three points for Cote D’Ivoire at the 78th minute.

It is a massive win which sees the Elephants qualify ahead of Uganda on goals difference.

The two teams have 4 points each after a record of one defeat, a draw and a victory. Cote D’Ivoire has 3 goals scored and two conceded, while Uganda conceded 3 goals (all in a single game) and scored 2.

Côte d’Ivoire therefore finish 2nd in the group behind Senegal who defeated two-time CHAN winners DR Congo to reign supreme on the log.

On the cards for the quarter-finals next Friday January 27, Côte d’Ivoire will clash hosts Algeria, who qualified top of group A. The game will kick off at 5:00 p.m. at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki.

Soualiho Haidara’s boys are looking to equal or surpass a personal best record (3rd in 2016).

It is yet another disappointing CHAN run for Uganda who collapse at the verge of making the next round. Uganda have not gone passed the group stage of the 6 CHAN editions which they participated in.